RIMPAC 2014 – participating aircraft and helicopters

Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014, the world’s biggest multinational maritime exercise, is the 24th in the series that commenced in 1971. The event is being held from 26 June to 1 August in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands.

RIMPAC 2014 helicopters

A large contingent of helicopters from 11 nations at RIMPAC 2014 is an indication of the growing presence of rotorcraft in naval operations. The number of helicopters flying in the event is also linked to the number of frigates and other vessels capable of deploying such choppers.

Multi-role/multi-mission helicopters have a strong presence with nine models participating. MRH-90 Taipan from Australia, Super Lynx Mk.99 from South Korea, AS565 Panther from Mexico, AS555 (Fennec 2) from Colombia, and a Japanese SH-60K Seahawk will all participate in the exercise.

Logistics support will be conducted by heavy-lift/medium lift transport and utility helicopters such as CH-47F Chinook, CH-53 Sea Stallion, UH-60 Blackhawk and Z-8 Changhe from China, while attack capabilities will be demonstrated by AH-64D Apache, AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters fielded by the US.

Light utility helicopters represented at the exercise include the Z-9 Harbin from China, and Alouette from India and France.

The US’ special mission rotorcraft including MH-53D/E Super Stallion Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) helicopter and OH-58D Kiowa armed reconnaissance helicopter will also be deployed in the exercise.

Click on the links below to find full details on all the helicopters involved.

RIMPAC 2014 fighters, bombers and strike aircraft

Canada and the US are the only participating nations to deploy fighter aircraft at RIMPAC 2014, while the latter is also flying bombers and strike aircraft in the exercise.

Canada is to field its frontline multi-role fighter aircraft the CF-18 Hornet, while the US will be represented by F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15E Strike Eagle and F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft.

A B-52H Stratofortress, the longest-serving bomber of the US, is the only bomber aircraft to fly at the exercise. Controlled by Carrier Strike Group Nine aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the F/A-18C/D/E/F Hornet/Super Hornet strike aircraft along with other assigned aircraft will also participate in a number of exercises involving other nations at RIMPAC 2014.

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) will host most of the aircraft making sorties as part of the exercise.

RIMPAC 2014 surveillance and EW aircraft

Different versions of Orion maritime patrol aircraft from five participating nations will lead the fleet of maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft at RIMPAC 2014. Japan, South Korea and USA will deploy their P-3C version, while Australia and New Zealand will fly AP-3C and P-3K2 Orion respectively. The Orion aircraft will also be flanked by P-8A Poseidon, CP-140 Aurora, and MQ-9 Predator UAS.

RIMPAC 2014 support aircraft

Canada will deploy CC-150T Polaris and CC-130T Hercules refuelling aircraft, the Polaris aircraft will be used for air-to-air refuelling for the Canadian CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft and CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft fleet participating in the exercise.

The US is deploying C-17 Globemaster III tactical transport aircraft, C-2A Greyhound carrier on-board delivery aircraft, HC-130 King personnel recovery aircraft and Learjet 35 jet. The KC-135R Stratotanker refuelling aircraft will support the fellow fleet as well as other aircraft from participating nations.